Terrier and spade brigade still at it
On Saturday 17th October 2009 sabs were present watching the Cotswold Vale fox hunt draw through woodland just south of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. “Coincidentally” on a footpath right beside the covert concerned was loose grass placed over what is believed to be a stopped up badger sett and earth impacted down making an escape route impossible for any hunted fox. This was freshly done even the night before or that morning. Later after dark one sab’ returned with a trowel and dug down about a foot uncovering impacted, petrol soaked soil and various organic debris.
It is an offence to interfere with a badger sett, the petrol was poured down either to dissuade a fox from going to a place of sanctuary (foxes and badgers do co-habitate) or to slowly suffocate any badgers or foxes within the sett. Several possibilities:
1. The sett was stopped up to ease the illegal hunting and killing of foxes at the behest of the Cotswold Vale fox hunt.
2. To kill badgers unbeknown to the hunt.
3. To do both with the hunt and/ or landowner’s blessing
4. To do both without the hunt and/or landowner’s knowledge .
We suspect the latter. This matter was reported to both police and RSPCA on Saturday night, as yet the police have been to the area but could not find the sett despite an offer by the sab’ to lead them to it (they have thus far declined this offer). The sett remains unblocked and has been observed today.
When sabs are arrested for trying to film unlawful hunts then prosecuted with zeal by the CPS all of a sudden police resources are very stretched when it comes to investigating and prosecuting those who torture and kill wild creatures. Sabs continue battle against the hunts regardless across the UK.